Was Albert Einstein one of Errol’s amazing universe of friends? Absolutely, relates this relatively unknown account. Is this just Hollywood spin? An unproven theory?
Periodically, Einstein did circulate with a cluster of mega-stars from LA LA Land. But, in the orbit of Errol? For the reasons postulated? Improbable perhaps, but, as with all things Flynn, not astronomically impossible. Here’s A.E. with J.W., four years before Errol arrived from another world:
McCormack is widely regarded Ireland’s greatest ever singer and was, in his day, the equivalent in classical terms, of Elvis or the Beatles. He made over 600 recordings across opera, Irish folk, religious music and songs from Russia, Germany, Italy and France.
He settled in America where his friends included the likes of Errol Flynn and John Barrymore. He built “San Patrizio”, in Runyon Park, where Errol later lived when it was known as “The Pines” (featured very prominently as Errol’s estate in the final scene of the movie “Breathless” with Richard Gere.)
McCormack’s left LA in 1938, intending to return to his beloved San Patrizio, but never made it back, due apparently to WWII and ensuing illness. A&P heir, and In with Flynn man, Huntington Hartford, subsequently purchased the property, with Errol famously residing there late in his own life.
“The Old House” may have been McCormack’s last recording. Perhaps it was partially inspired by and/or invoked memories of San Patrizio.
ERROL’S EIGHT DOUBLE ‘O’ FILMS
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Has any actor ever had a higher percentage of double ‘o’ films than Errol?
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Eight of Errol’s films have ‘oo’ words in their titles.
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That’s approximately 14.8% of all his movies.
In June of 1935, before he went over the marital falls with Lili and sailed into international fame as El Capitan Blood, Errol Flynn was a mega-star at the Venice Amusement Pier. He wasn’t yet King of Cinematic Swashbucklers, but he did reign supreme at the “Over the Falls” Tunnel of Love – which made him “the talk of the town in Hollywood.” (Anyone surprised at that?)
One might wonder how Tiger ‘Lil handled that! … Well, news coverage of this legendary Tinseltown shindig indicated that she did have at least one uplifting experience at the party:
“Lili Damita apparently was given a rather unorthodox entrance [at the Fun House], courtesy of a gust of air that lifted her skirt. However, she recovered her composure to pose with Carole. Marlene and husband Errol Flynn”
“Throughout the 1940s, Hollywood’s most glamorous stars found refuge from their demanding careers at Ohio’s Malabar Farm, home of Pulitzer Prize winner, author and screenwriter Louis Bromfield.”
“Many of Hollywood’s brightest stars visited Malabar Farm over the years, including Errol Flynn, Edward G. Robinson, and George and Gracie Allen. James Cagney could be spotted selling vegetables at the farm’s produce stand. Any visitors had to earn their keep by doing farm chores. And on May 21, 1945, Malabar Farm hosted the wedding of long-time friend Humphrey Bogart to Lauren Bacall, with Louis Bromfield serving as best man — a star-studded event for Happy Valley!”
Here is a new kick starter that has Errol as a hero fighting Hitler with Charlie Chaplin. They are looking for completion money for their hardcover comic book. The illistrations are top notch check out the film pitch and all the different covers.
About the Story
Charlie Chaplin – comic, filmmaker, and raconteur – didn’t become the world’s biggest star by courting controversy, but when he comes face-to-face with the horrors of Hitler, he feels compelled to get off the sidelines and get involved. And then Charlie is approached by FDR himself with a special assignment. His mission, if he chooses to accept it: create a propaganda film to drum up public support for joining the war in Europe.
And so Charlie goes from movie maker to provocateur, traveling the world and dodging danger to complete his film. With the help of undercover agent Hedy Lamarr, her handler Errol Flynn, and British patriot Alfred Hitchcock, Chaplin faces down American fascists, Nazi spies, and his own massive self-doubt to complete his masterpiece.
But just because the film is done doesn’t mean the mission is, and little tramp and great dictator go toe-to-toe, Charlie and Adolph, one-on-one, mano a mano in a rip-roaring climax that fully delivers on the promise of the premise.
ABOUT THE BOOK
The Führer and the Tramp graphic novel collects the entire 5 issue mini series. It is 184 pages of gorgeous black and white art by the phenomenal Dexter Wee. It has taken us THREE YEARS to research, write and complete the art for the book, and now we need your help to finish making it a reality.
Our goal is to raise enough capital to cover the printing of the book, and if we hit our stretch goals, we will upgrade everyone to a hardback collected edition.
